Best Mysteries In The Apothecary Diaries Anime, Ranked

Summary

• The Apothecary Diaries blends mystery, romance, and political intrigue.
• Each episode unveils unique mysteries like an assassination plot and poisoning.
• Mao Mao’s deductive skills shine in solving intricate historical puzzles.

The Apothecary Diaries was the hit romance anime series of last year. Its perfect blend of mystery, suspense, romance, and political drama made it one of the most beloved shows in recent memory. To top it off, the character of Mao Mao was well-liked for her personality, wit, and surprising empathy.

While the show has romantic elements, it is definitely more of a mystery with deep medical themes and historical relevance. There were a great many amazing mysteries that Mao Mao solved, and a rundown of some of the best is a worthwhile discussion while fans explore this anime.

9

The Mystery Of The Dancing Concubine

A Mystery With A Happy Ending

The Apothecary Diaries is an unironically dark show, and isn’t afraid to face some of the harsh realities of life at that point in history. But, the mystery from the third episode of the show was a more lighthearted one, involving a mid-level concubine who masterminded her marriage to the man she loved.

The concubine, Fuyou, was able to feign madness to engineer being given away to a general who was a childhood sweetheart. It was a nice little mystery that highlighted the ways in which true love could work in such a period.

8

The Mystery Of The Shrine Of Choosing

Some Great Insight Into The Previous Emperors

This mystery involved an old shrine of ‘Choosing,’ where the emperors of old were chosen. The story offered some insight into the birth of the first emperor and how the ‘Mother Royal’ was able to keep her lineage in power for generations.

After following the emperor on a trip to the shrine and going through its tests, Mao Mao tries again and is successful. She later explains that it was because the Mother Royal and her lineage had some form of color blindness. The mystery also involved an old acquaintance of Luomen, Mao Mao’s adoptive father, which gave it some extra points of interest.

7

The Mystery Of The Moon Fairy

Mao Mao Connects With The Past

The second season of The Apothecary Diaries doesn’t let up on the mystery front. One of the mysteries involved the madam at Rokushoukan, who had performed for an envoy and was called a ‘Moon Fairy.’ Now, important envoys from the west want to see the Moon Fairy again.

The mystery involved understanding how the madam had pulled off the effects the envoys spoke of, including being surrounded by lights. Mao Mao figured it out and was even able to get Jinshi involved. It was nice to see Jinshi make use of his incredible beauty, and also how natural things could seem supernatural when told as a travel tale.

6

The Mystery Of The Poisoned Bureaucrat

Epic Family Drama

One of the shorter mysteries that Mao Mao encountered was that of a bureaucrat who had fallen into a coma after consuming fish. Mao Mao had to investigate the kitchen where the food was made, and discovered the issue with a particular seaweed used in the meal that wasn’t well-prepared.

The revelation turned the spotlight on the man’s brother, who had tried to get revenge on him and imported the poisonous seaweed. The mystery was a way to connect Mao Mao and Basen, and also highlight Mao Mao’s excellent knowledge of poisons. It was also another instance in which Mao Mao and Gaoshun grew closer.

5

The Mystery Of The Three Brothers

Mao Mao’s Deductive Abilities Are Put To The Test

The Apothecary Diaries features smaller mysteries that are connected with bigger mysteries. One of the former involved a metalworker who died and left some things to his three sons: a metalworking shack for the oldest, a chest for the second, and a fishbowl for the youngest.

The mystery involved opening the chest, which was unlockable. With some impressive skill, Mao Mao was able to solve the mystery, deducing that it had to do with the brothers coming together. The mysteryacted as an excellent storytelling tool to expose a family drama to the audience.

4

The Mystery Of The Attempted Double Suicide

Intrigue And Brothel Politics

One would think that an episode in which Mao Mao gets to visit her adoptive father at home would be a nice, relaxing, slice-of-life episode, but it was anything but. Mao Mao had to deal with the case of a courtesan who had apparently been poisoned, along with a wealthy customer.

Mao Mao would later find out that it was a murder attempt, with a little girl and a courtesan working together to gain revenge against a rich man’s son and his emotional manipulation. As a mystery, it placed Mao Mao outside the palace, and she had a chance to work with her father.

3

The Mystery Of Lishu’s Poisoning

The Climax Of The First Cour

• Season 1, Episodes 6, 10–12

Tensions were already high after the garden party in which Mao Mao discovered that Lady Gyokuyou’s food had been poisoned. But things continued to escalate as Lady Lishu was also poisoned and was being bullied.

Mao Mao discovered that it all surrounded a lady-in-waiting, Fengming. She had orchestrated Lishu’s poisoning as it led to a deeper mystery involving a consort, Ah-Duo, and the baby she lost. This also connected to Mao Mao’s adoptive father, Luomen, being fired from the rear palace. The mystery was an intricate one, and finally getting to the bottom of it with Fengming’s execution was extremely satisfying.

2

The Mystery Of The Jinshi Assassination Attempt

The Meddling Of The Crafty Lakan

• Season 1, Episodes 16 & 19

One of the bigger mysteries of the first season involved a ceremony with Jinshi and what seemed like an assassination plot. Thanks to Mao Mao’s quick thinking, she was able to save Jinshi even though it was at the cost of great personal injury.

It was a satisfying mystery solved as it was the culmination of a bunch of smaller mysteries, including an exploding warehouse, and of three brothers and their father’s will. It also showed Lakan’s care for Mao Mao (in his own twisted way), and solidified Jinshi’s growing feelings for Mao Mao.

1

The Mystery Of The Two Consorts

Mao Mao’s First Mystery Was An Important One

The very first mystery that Mao Mao encountered at the rear palace had to do with two high-profile consorts, Gyokuyou and Lihua, and the similar fates their babies were facing. Mao Mao figured out that the poor health of both babies was due to toxic materials found in makeup.

Mao Mao warned both women. While Gyokuyou listened and her child was saved, Lihua wasn’t so fortunate, and her baby sadly passed away. It was an emotional mystery, but one that established Mao Mao as a genius who was able to solve issues. It set the tone for the rest of the show.